By Bill Neely

For my birthday I got the experience of a lifetime: a day at the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Texas Motor Speedway. I arrived at the track early in the morning, nervous and apprehensive, and drove through a tunnel to the center of the track toward the central garage and office area. It was a thrill just to be in the Infield. At the Driving Experience office I met the others who had signed up for this thrill and the staff briefed us on all aspects of driving a race car and what we would be doing that day on the track.

Next we climbed into vans for a ride around the track with an instructor. Stopping at various places on the track, he schooled us on the proper way to drive in that particular section. We just hoped we could remember the instructions at the critical times. Back at the office we received serious safety instructions and then had to sign waivers before putting on official racing suits and helmets that were fireproof and constructed for extreme safety.

We drove one at a time. My turn was about midway through the group, which gave me the opportunity to watch some of the others before I drove. With each one my anticipation grew. Finally they called my number. The pros helped me climb into the car window since race cars do not have doors. They belted me in as if I were a child and then showed me all the gauges and controls. Wow, could I really keep all of these dials straight? I would be driving solo. I felt my pulse going through the roof, but my hands were steady and I was pumped!

Then a professional driver got into another race car ahead of mine to lead the way around the track. The instructors told me to stay behind the race car in front of me at a certain distance and accelerate as the lead car accelerated. Then, like lightning we were off.

The sensation of the power generated by the car as I accelerated, coupled with the feeling of down-force as the car reached greater and greater speeds, was unbelievable. The first lap I was nervous and unsure I could keep up with the car leading me, but as I felt the thrill of the speed and the maneuverability of the car, I was able to focus on the extreme uniqueness of the experience and become exhilarated at what I was actually being able to do.

After eight laps, during which I had the track to myself with the exception of the lead car ahead of me, we coasted down pit lane to a stop. The crew told me that I had averaged 154 miles per hour, which meant I must have reached speeds of more than 160 miles per hour on the straightaways. Wow!

This is the chance of a lifetime for any adult who loves racing and wants to experience it for themselves.

WHEN YOU GO

The Richard Petty Driving Experience is available at several racetracks around the United States and is open to all adults who love racing and want to experience it for themselves: 800-BE-PETTY (800-237-3889) or www.1800bepetty.com/home.aspx

The author stands beside his car at the Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Texas Motor Speedway. Photo courtesy of Bill Neely.

Crew members at the Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Texas Motor Speedway outfit the author with the proper clothing and safety equipment. Photo courtesy of Bill Neely.

At the end of his drive at the Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Texas Motor Speedway the author exits his car through a window. Photo courtesy of Bill Neely.

Bill Neely is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.